independent Definition
- 1not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself
- 2not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; autonomous
- 3not depending on something else for existence or operation
Using independent: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "independent" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She has been an independent businesswoman for over a decade.
Example
The country became independent from colonial rule in the 20th century.
Example
He is an independent thinker who doesn't follow the crowd.
Example
The research was conducted by an independent organization.
independent Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for independent
- autonomous
- free
- uncontrolled
- self-sufficient
- self-reliant
Antonyms for independent
Idioms Using independent
to start one's own business or become self-employed
Example
After years of working for a large corporation, she decided to go independent and start her own consulting firm.
independent of one's will
happening or existing without one's control or choice
Example
The accident was independent of his will and he couldn't have prevented it.
independent as a hog on ice
very independent and self-sufficient
Example
She's as independent as a hog on ice and doesn't need anyone's help.
Phrases with independent
not influenced or affected by something else
Example
The decision was made independent of any external pressure.
a course of study in which a student works independently rather than attending lectures or classes
Example
She took an independent study course in art history.
a variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable
Example
In the experiment, the independent variable was the amount of fertilizer used.
Origins of independent
from Late Latin 'independens', from Latin 'in-' (not) + 'dependere' (to hang from, be dependent on)
Summary: independent in Brief
The term 'independent' [ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt] refers to a person or thing that is not influenced or controlled by others, and can think or act for itself. It can describe a person's character, a country's status, or an organization's structure. Phrases like 'independent of' and 'independent study' extend its meaning, while idioms like 'go independent' and 'independent as a hog on ice' add color to its usage.
